David Buness of Clancy, music educator

After many years bringing music into the hearts of many of us, Dave Buness departed on Nov. 23 to direct the great choir in the sky. He passed peacefully, with his wife Fay and son Steve by his side, at Edgewood Senior Living in Helena. Dave was 88 years old.

Dave was born a farmboy in Powers Lake, ND. He was the middle child and the only boy among five sisters, a full house for his folks David and Mildred Buness. Dave always chafed at being called “Junior.”

Dave got his bachelor’s in music from Minot State College in North Dakota, then dove into his first teaching job at White Shield, ND. He was activated during the 1961 Berlin Crisis by the Army National Guard, where he attended medic school and learned drafting.